DESCENDRE L'UNA EN RAFTING

For rafting, kayaking or canoeing down the Una, head for Lohovo (13 km southeast of Bihać). This village is home to many of the 17 agencies specializing in water sports within the Una National Park. Despite the presence of some very impressive cascades and waterfalls, the Una is more conducive to leisurely descents than the Tara (Foča region) and the Vrbas (Banja Luka region). In any case, it's the best way to discover the Una canyons, the old railway line that runs along the valley and, of course, waterfalls everywhere. The most beautiful and demanding descent is the one between the Štrbački Buk and Lohovo waterfalls: 15 km in three-four hours, with rapids rated 3-4. For families, we recommend the one between Martin Brod and Kulen Vakuf: 7 km in one or two hours, with no particular difficulty. The season runs from April to October. Supervision is in English, with groups of five to eight paddlers per boat. Equipment is provided, as are one to three meals. Before you set off, be sure to ask whether your skipper has a certificate recognized by the International Rafting Federation (IRF). On the whole, rafting agencies are quite serious about safety. Most also offer accommodation (camping, villas, etc.) and other activities within the national park or nearby (hiking, mountain biking, 4 x 4, diving, etc.).